Senator Lott: Bush and regular folks don't obsess over Iraq war?

motivez · 10-01-2006, 10:08 PM

Lott: Bush barely mentioned Iraq in meeting with Senate Republicans
From CNN's Ted Barrett

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush barely mentioned the war in Iraq when he met with Republican senators behind closed doors in the Capitol Thursday morning and was not asked about the course of the war, Sen. Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, said.

"No, none of that," Lott told reporters after the session when asked if the Iraq war was discussed. "You're the only ones who obsess on that. We don't and the real people out in the real world don't for the most part."

Lott went on to say he has difficulty understanding the motivations behind the violence in Iraq.

"It's hard for Americans, all of us, including me, to understand what's wrong with these people," he said. "Why do they kill people of other religions because of religion? Why do they hate the Israelis and despise their right to exist? Why do they hate each other? Why do Sunnis kill Shiites? How do they tell the difference? They all look the same to me."

So, lets get this straight.

First of all, he's essentially saying that Bush doesn't really obsess about the war in Iraq? Shouldn't he? I mean, you know, considering we were taken in there on false pretenses, nearly 3000 American soldiers have died for those false pretenses, we have no plan, he refuses to change strategies.. refuses to listen to his General's requests for troops, etc?

I mean, shouldn't he obsess over it? Shouldn't that be one of the main things he's focused on? I mean, if you're going to screw up badly, at least be an active participant in that screwup. Right?

Lastly, what is it with racism and Republican Senators lately? First Allen and his slew of racist comments and backgrounds come to light, and now he says "Oh, they all look the same to me.."

I guess we've known about Lott for awhile though, so maybe it's nothing really new.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 10-01-2006, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

Lastly, what is it with racism and Republican Senators lately? First Allen and his slew of racist comments and backgrounds come to light, and now he says "Oh, they all look the same to me.."

I wouldn't call his "they all look the same to me" comment racism so much as unbridled, willful ignorance. A US Senator is displaying as much understanding of the situation in Iraq as I would expect of a 5th grader. He obviously has no idea of the sectarian tensions there, the history or the religious differences of these people. He just thinks, "Well, they're all brown and Muslim, so what's the problem?!" Fucking retarded, and with people like this running the show, it's no wonder the insurgency was a surprise and the war is going to shit.

KatKanPlay · 10-01-2006, 10:19 PM

Omy, so I am not a real person in the real world??? I think about this fucking war and its consequences several times a day every day. Would that make me special or unique, certainly not real though.

Diesel66 · 10-01-2006, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

So, lets get this straight.

First of all, he's essentially saying that Bush doesn't really obsess about the war in Iraq? Shouldn't he?

Johnson obsessed about Vietnam to the point he was creating specific battle plans and ignoring everything outside of Vietnam, do you really want to follow that plan ? Or would you rather the President be able to focus on everything that affects us, both domestic and international.

6SpeedTA95 · 10-01-2006, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

So, lets get this straight.

First of all, he's essentially saying that Bush doesn't really obsess about the war in Iraq? Shouldn't he? I mean, you know, considering we were taken in there on false pretenses, nearly 3000 American soldiers have died for those false pretenses, we have no plan, he refuses to change strategies.. refuses to listen to his General's requests for troops, etc?

I mean, shouldn't he obsess over it? Shouldn't that be one of the main things he's focused on? I mean, if you're going to screw up badly, at least be an active participant in that screwup. Right?

Lastly, what is it with racism and Republican Senators lately? First Allen and his slew of racist comments and backgrounds come to light, and now he says "Oh, they all look the same to me.."

I guess we've known about Lott for awhile though, so maybe it's nothing really new.

Talk about blowing something out of proportion...

NO the presidetn shouldn't obsess over it. There's a whole host of things that demand attention when you're the president. NOT just the war in Iraq. He said people dont obssess on it and I think he's right. I know very few people that are obssessing over the war. Most of us pay attention but there's a difference between paying attention and obssessing.

What racists comment? He said sunni's shia's look the same? So what? Can you tell a difference by looking at someone as to whether or not their sunni, shia, etc? I've seen numerous Iraqi's on tv, interviews etc on a variety of TV channels and I can never tell what religious sect they are until they say it.

It seems to me that this is just looking for something to blow out of proportion.

kinggovernor · 10-01-2006, 11:23 PM

shia and sunni do look the same

motivez · 10-01-2006, 11:27 PM

I think this President should obsess over Iraq. To the point where he understands everything there is to know about that nation, giving him a better understanding of why things are the way they are right now.

It's painfully obvious to the entire world that the opposite has been what's going on, disinterest. Disinterest in the culture, in the people, in their way of life.

Some obsession would be healthy for him.

And, I'm sorry, but blurting "They all look the same to me" when talking about ethnic groups is racist. If it was about Japanese vs Korean vs Chinese and one of our Senators had said, "How do they tell eachother apart? They all look the same to me", it'd be racist. This is no different.

But like I said, we've known about Lott for awhile now. He was removed from his leadership position for racist bullshit, so I guess this is the status quo for him.

6SpeedTA95 · 10-01-2006, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

I think this President should obsess over Iraq. To the point where he understands everything there is to know about that nation, giving him a better understanding of why things are the way they are right now.

It's painfully obvious to the entire world that the opposite has been what's going on, disinterest. Disinterest in the culture, in the people, in their way of life.

Some obsession would be healthy for him.

And, I'm sorry, but blurting "They all look the same to me" when talking about ethnic groups is racist. If it was about Japanese vs Korean vs Chinese and one of our Senators had said, "How do they tell eachother apart? They all look the same to me", it'd be racist. This is no different.

But like I said, we've known about Lott for awhile now. He was removed from his leadership position for racist bullshit, so I guess this is the status quo for him.

I think he should educate himself more on the situation in Iraq...obsessing would not bea good thing because other areas would then suffer.

I saw this interview he didn't exactly "blurt" it out he said it in stride with the rest of his press conference.

Your analogy of japanese vs chinese is extremely poor.

It'd be more like telling the difference between a catholic, baptist and lutheran. Goodluck because you CAN NOT TELL A DAMN DIFFERENCE by looking at people. Its simply a religious sect...

motivez · 10-01-2006, 11:39 PM

I'd rather he be fully aware of the problems he's causing, being super involved, and at least make an effort than being so disinterested that he thinks he has a better idea of what's going on than his Generals.

It's not the greatest analogy, but it works. If anything similar would have been said by a Democrat Senator from anywhere, there would be all sorts of accusations about this and that.. I think it's only fair to jump on his ignorance, especially considering his racist past.

6SpeedTA95 · 10-01-2006, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

I'd rather he be fully aware of the problems he's causing, being super involved, and at least make an effort than being so disinterested that he thinks he has a better idea of what's going on than his Generals.

I agree with that, but solely focusing on one problem leads to neglect in other areas and therefor more problems.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 10-02-2006, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

I agree with that, but solely focusing on one problem leads to neglect in other areas and therefor more problems.

All this talk about obsession is a red herring, and you're falling for Lott's false choice and/or non sequitur. When asked if the subject of Iraq was discussed, he said, no, the President is not obsessed with Iraq; the implication being you either don't talk about it at all or you're obsessed with it, or that talking about it is indicative of obsession. Obviously both notions are bullshit, and a poor attempt at covering up the President's totally ignoring one of the most important issues facing the country today.

IminWonderland · 10-02-2006, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

Talk about blowing something out of proportion...

NO the presidetn shouldn't obsess over it. There's a whole host of things that demand attention when you're the president. NOT just the war in Iraq. He said people dont obssess on it and I think he's right. I know very few people that are obssessing over the war. Most of us pay attention but there's a difference between paying attention and obssessing.
What racists comment? He said sunni's shia's look the same? So what? Can you tell a difference by looking at someone as to whether or not their sunni, shia, etc? I've seen numerous Iraqi's on tv, interviews etc on a variety of TV channels and I can never tell what religious sect they are until they say it.

It seems to me that this is just looking for something to blow out of proportion.

If this war was going well, then I could fathom him having other things on his mind. But, considering the amount of death in that region on a daily basis, I think he could give it some of his 6 hour work day.

IminWonderland · 10-02-2006, 01:51 AM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

All this talk about obsession is a red herring, and you're falling for Lott's false choice and/or non sequitur. When asked if the subject of Iraq was discussed, he said, no, the President is not obsessed with Iraq; the implication being you either don't talk about it at all or you're obsessed with it, or that talking about it is indicative of obsession. Obviously both notions are bullshit, and a poor attempt at covering up the President's totally ignoring one of the most important issues facing the country today.

Diesel66 · 10-02-2006, 02:04 AM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

All this talk about obsession is a red herring, and you're falling for Lott's false choice and/or non sequitur. When asked if the subject of Iraq was discussed, he said, no, the President is not obsessed with Iraq; the implication being you either don't talk about it at all or you're obsessed with it, or that talking about it is indicative of obsession. Obviously both notions are bullshit, and a poor attempt at covering up the President's totally ignoring one of the most important issues facing the country today.

All that means is the meeting was on another topic. How to kill the whales, piss off liberals, shit on the Constitution,etc....

ballz2wallz · 10-02-2006, 07:43 AM

Should anybody obsess about anything?

avsp · 10-02-2006, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

It'd be more like telling the difference between a catholic, baptist and lutheran. Goodluck because you CAN NOT TELL A DAMN DIFFERENCE by looking at people. Its simply a religious sect...

it is precisely for this reason that I'd see Lott's comment as racist.

He also seems uncommonly stupid, ..., are we certain that he isnt deliberately parading his stupidity for some other reason?

Either way he seems exactly what we fear American senators are like.

Bush are similarly pilloried prior to his election for his poor grasp of geography, world affairs etc

As for obsessing etc, ..., it would help if I actually believed that there was a any workible plan possible let alone one in place.

kinggovernor · 10-02-2006, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by motivez

And, I'm sorry, but blurting "They all look the same to me" when talking about ethnic groups is racist. If it was about Japanese vs Korean vs Chinese and one of our Senators had said, "How do they tell eachother apart? They all look the same to me", it'd be racist. This is no different.

I could post pics of sunni and shia and you would not be able to pick out the difference

avsp · 10-02-2006, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by kinggovernor

I could post pics of sunni and shia and you would not be able to pick out the difference

but what does believing that they might/should 'look unalike' say about a persons views?

Diesel66 · 10-02-2006, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by avsp

but what does believing that they might/should 'look unalike' say about a persons views?

They are logical. You usually cannot tell someone's religious views just by looking at them.